'Cops' filming goes bad: Crew member gunned down by Omaha police

An employee working for the television show “Cops” was shot and killed by police in Omaha, Nebraska, as they responded to an armed robbery at a local restaurant. The suspected burglar was also killed.

Omaha Police Chief Todd
Schmaderer said “Cops” crew member Bryce Dion, 38, was shot once
when a shootout broke open between law enforcement and a
suspected robber. Dion was one of the TV show’s workers
accompanying police when they arrived at a Wendy’s fast-food
restaurant, where the suspect reportedly fired on police.

The suspect, 32-year-old Cortez Washington was in possession of
an airsoft gun as the situation unfolded. According to local
WCVB News, witnesses and officers believed
the gun – which looks real but only fires plastic pellets – was a
legitimate weapon. When police struck Washington, he attempted to
escape the restaurant, and police continued firing in his
direction.

At this point, Dion was caught in the crossfire and was fatally
shot. He had been working with Omaha police on the show – which
follows police in real-time – since June, and is believed to be
the first employee to be killed on the job in the series’
history.

“We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragedy and our
main concern is helping his family in any way we can,” read
a statement by Langley Productions, which produces the show, to
KETV News. “Bryce Dion was a long term
member of the “COPS” team and very talented and dedicated person.
We mourn his passing. An investigation is ongoing and we are
cooperating with local authorities."

Two “Cops” employees total were following the Omaha police during
the incident, and Schmaderer said both were wearing bullet proof
vests. The bullet that struck Dion, however, managed to find an
unprotected area.

The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid
administrative leave as the investigation unfolds.

The police chief told KETV that after he watched video of the
confrontation – footage that will be inspected by a grand jury
looking into the case – he concluded his officers "had no
choice but to respond in the manner in which they did."

“Mr. Dion paid the ultimate price for his service -- to
provide the footage of the real-life dangers that law enforcement
officers face on a daily basis to television viewers throughout
the world," he added.